Unit 12 - Trace Minerals and Nutrients for Blood Health

Question 0

Describe the prevalence of vitamin K deficiency and its associated symptoms.

Answer 0

Deficiency results in the inability of blood to clot resulting in hemorrhages when in injury occurs.

Prevalence is low due to intestinal vitamin K synthesis and storage of the vitamin in the liver.

Question 1

What are the functions of vitamin K in the body?

Answer 1

Involved in the synthesis of blood clotting proteins.

Question 2

What are some major food sources of vitamin K?

Answer 2

• green leafy vegetables
• dairy products
• eggs
• whole grains

Question 3

What are the two general functions of trace minerals in the body?

Answer 3

Catalytic roles: cofactors for enzymatic reactions

Structural roles: integrate into the structure of specific molecules or types of tissues

Question 4

Describe the general absorption of trace minerals.

Answer 4

• regulated by the mucosa of the small intestine
• increases with increased need
• nutrient interactions can interfere with absorption, ie. too much iron decreases absorption of zinc

Question 5

How are trace minerals transported?

Answer 5

By binding to protein carriers that may be specific or general. Excess protein carriers act to buffer excess minerals.

Question 6

How are trace minerals excreted?

Answer 6

If excreted it is generally through feces, urine, shed cells, bile, and menses.

Question 7

What are dietary sources of trace minerals?

Answer 7

• vegetables grown in soils with high mineral content
• foods of animal origin
• whole grains

Question 8

Describe the distributions and functions of iron in the body.

Answer 8

70-80% found in hemoglobin, remainder in myoglobin, body stores, and enzymes.

• Ferritin = temporary storage form
• Hemosiderin = long-term storage form

Functions

• Oxygen transport from lungs to body tissues - hemoglobin
• Cellular respiration during the process of energy production - cytochromes involved in electron transport chain
• Biochemical reactions not directly involved in energy production, ie. connective tissue synthesis and antibody production

Question 9

How is iron absorbed, transported, stored, and recycled in the body?

Answer 9

• iron is transported by the protein transferrin
• When unsaturated transferrin levels are high it signals the mucosal cells to absorb more iron from the gut
• Ferritin = temporary storage form (intestinal mucosa and liver)
• Hemosiderin = long-term storage form (liver, spleen, and bone marrow)

Question 10

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Answer 10

• weakness, fatigue, headaches
• impaired work performance and cognitive function
• impaired immunity
• inability to regulate body temperatures
• pica

Question 11

Distinguish between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.

Answer 11

Iron deficiency = depleted iron stores, subclinical deficiency

Question 12

What biochemical tests are used to determine iron deficiencies and anemia?

Answer 12

Total Iron-binding capacity (TIBC) - direct test of iron stores, measure of blood ferritin

Transferrin saturation - indirect test, measure of blood transferrin and the iron bound to it

Question 13

What are the types, causes and effects of iron overload?

Answer 13

Hemochromatosis

• hereditary defect
• inability to regulate the absorption of iron

Hemosiderosis

• excess ingestion of iron
• increased deposits of hemosiderin in the liver, heart, joints, and other tissues

Iron overload results in tissue damage, especially in iron-storing organs

Question 14

What are the forms of dietary iron and their sources?

Answer 14

Heme iron - meat, fish, poultry

Non-heme iron - meats, fruits, vegetables, cereals, eggs, dairy products, supplemental iron

Question 16

What are the causes and effects of zinc deficiency and toxicity?

Answer 16

Deficiency

• caused by little consumption of meats
• diarrhea, impaired immune response, damage to the central nervous system and brain

Toxicity

• caused by overdose of zinc supplement or storing of acidic foods in galvanized cans
• interference with normal copper metabolism leads to heart muscle degeneration, increased LDL, decreased HDL

Question 17

What are some major sources of zinc?

Answer 17

Dietary sources = protein rich foods - meats, poultry, shellfish

Question 22

What are the major functions of zinc in the body?

Answer 22

• DNA and RNA synthesis
• vitamin A metabolism
• insulin synthesis
• taste and appetite
• prevention of heavy metal poisoning
• immunity